Structure of electric vehicle

Abstract

This disclosure provides a structure of an electric vehicle, which includes an engine, an electric generator for being driven by the engine, a battery for being supplied and charged with generated power at least from the electric generator, and a motor for being supplied with power from the battery to drive driving wheels. The engine, the electric generator, and a power transmission device for transmitting a motive force of the engine to the electric generator are integrally formed to constitute a power generation unit. The power generation unit is arranged inside an engine room so that at least the engine is located rearward from wheel axles of left and right front wheels.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A structure of an electric vehicle, comprising:
 an engine; 
 an electric generator for being driven by the engine; 
 a battery for being supplied and charged with power generated at least from the electric generator; and 
 a motor for being supplied with power from the battery to drive driving wheels; 
 the engine, the electric generator, and a power transmission device for transmitting a motive force of the engine to the electric generator being integrally formed to constitute a power generation unit, and the power generation unit being arranged inside an engine room so that at least the engine is located rearward from wheel axles of left and right front wheels; 
 wherein the engine and the electric generator are arranged vertically so that the engine is located below the electric generator. 
 
     
     
       2. The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the power generation unit is entirely arranged rearward from the wheel axles of the front wheels, and the power transmission device is one of a chain device and a gear device. 
     
     
       3. The structure of  claim 2 , wherein the power transmission device is a planetary gear device; and
 wherein the engine, the planetary gear device, and the electric generator are arranged along a vehicle width axis in this order so that a driving shaft of the engine and a rotation shaft of the electric generator extend along the vehicle width axis and are located coaxially. 
 
     
     
       4. The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an air-conditioning unit, a part of which is arranged above the engine, inside the engine room. 
     
     
       5. The structure of  claim 4 , wherein the engine and the electric generator are arranged along a vehicle front-to-rear axis so that the engine is located rearward from the electric generator and a driving shaft of the engine and a rotation shaft of the electric generator extend along a vehicle width axis;
 wherein the driving shaft of the engine and the rotation shaft of the electric generator are coupled in parallel to each other via the power transmission device; and 
 wherein the power generation unit is arranged adjacent to one of left and right front side frames that are arranged inside the engine room so as to extend along the vehicle front-to-rear axis. 
 
     
     
       6. The structure of  claim 5 , wherein an intake system of the engine is arranged above the power generation unit. 
     
     
       7. The structure of  claim 6 , wherein the motor is arranged in a rear part of the vehicle and drives left and right rear wheels that serve as the driving wheels. 
     
     
       8. The structure of  claim 7 , wherein the driving shaft of the engine is coupled to the rotation shaft of the electric generator and the front wheels via a power splitting mechanism that serves as the power transmission device. 
     
     
       9. The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the power transmission device is a planetary gear device; and
 wherein the engine, the planetary gear device, and the electric generator are arranged along the vehicle width axis in this order so that the driving shaft of the engine and the rotation shaft of the electric generator extend along the vehicle width axis and are located coaxially. 
 
     
     
       10. The structure of  claim 9 , wherein the engine is a single-rotor rotary engine. 
     
     
       11. The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the power transmission device is a planetary gear device; and
 wherein the engine, the planetary gear device, and the electric generator are arranged along a vehicle width axis in this order so that a driving shaft of the engine and a rotation shaft of the electric generator extend along the vehicle width axis and are located coaxially. 
 
     
     
       12. The structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an air-conditioning unit, a part of which is arranged above the engine, inside the engine room. 
     
     
       13. A structure of an electric vehicle, comprising:
 an engine; 
 an electric generator for being driven by the engine; 
 a battery for being supplied and charged with power generated at least from the electric generator; and 
 a motor for being supplied with power from the battery to drive driving wheels; 
 the engine, the electric generator, and a power transmission device for transmitting a motive force of the engine to the electric generator being integrally formed to constitute a power generation unit, and the power generation unit being arranged inside an engine room so that at least the engine is located rearward from wheel axles of left and right front wheels; 
 wherein the engine and the electric generator are arranged along a vehicle front-to-rear axis so that the engine is located rearward from the electric generator and a driving shaft of the engine and a rotation shaft of the electric generator extend along a vehicle width axis; 
 wherein the driving shaft of the engine and the rotation shaft of the electric generator are coupled in parallel to each other via the power transmission device; and 
 wherein the power generation unit is arranged adjacent to one of left and right front side frames that are arranged inside the engine room so as to extend along the vehicle front-to-rear axis. 
 
     
     
       14. The structure of  claim 13 , wherein an intake system of the engine is arranged above the power generation unit. 
     
     
       15. The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is arranged in a rear part of the vehicle and drives left and right rear wheels that serve as the driving wheels. 
     
     
       16. A structure of an electric vehicle, comprising:
 an engine; 
 an electric generator for being driven by the engine; 
 a battery for being supplied and charged with power generated at least from the electric generator; and 
 a motor for being supplied with power from the battery to drive driving wheels; 
 the engine, the electric generator, and a power transmission device for transmitting a motive force of the engine to the electric generator being integrally formed to constitute a power generation unit, and the power generation unit being arranged inside an engine room so that at least the engine is located rearward from wheel axles of left and right front wheels; 
 wherein the motor is arranged in a rear part of the vehicle and drives left and right rear wheels that serve as the driving wheels; and 
 wherein a driving shaft of the engine is coupled to a rotation shaft of the electric generator and the front wheels via a power splitting mechanism that serves as the power transmission device.